Irish fall short but Keogh glad inevitable first loss is out of the way

ANDY KEOGH is glad Giovanni Trapattoni's first defeat as Republic of Ireland boss was in a friendly rather than a World Cup qualifier.

The Italian coach saw his side beaten for the first time in his seven-game reign as Poland left Croke Park with a 3-2 win, having survived a late fightback.

However, Keogh, who won his ninth senior cap against the Poles, was able to console himself with the knowledge that Ireland remain unbeaten in World Cup Group 8 heading into February's home tie with Georgia.

The Wolves midfielder said: "Everyone agreed if we had to lose, we would rather lose a friendly. We don't want to drop points in the qualifiers, so better to get it out of the way now."

That was a sentiment with which Trapattoni agreed after a game which, at one point, looked as though it might turn ugly for his team before they summoned up a belated response. He said: "I said to the players in the dressing room afterwards that it is better to lose a friendly that a World Cup qualifier.

"We can start 2009 with great belief. We have a good direction.

"Normally after a defeat, I am sad, but I am not sad because I saw from some players that we can believe in the future."

Ireland got off to the worst possible start when Poland skipper Mariusz Lewandowski headed them in front after three minutes.

Trapattoni's men had ample opportunities to drag themselves back into the game, but three times winger Damien Duff passed up chances to level before the break, and his side was punished almost immediately after it. Brazilian-born midfielder Roger Guerreiro made it 2-0 within two minutes of his half-time introduction, although it was the visitors who were then guilty of not killing the game off.

Substitute Stephen Hunt claimed what looked like a consolation goal from the penalty spot with just two minutes to go and, although Robert Lewandowski restored his team's advantage seconds later, debutant Keith Andrews' injury-time strike made for an interesting conclusion.